89 seniors to graduate in ceremonies May 18 at 8 p.m.

The Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School Class of 2007 will graduate during commencement exercises on Friday, May 18, beginning at 8 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.

A total of 89 seniors in the Class of 2007 will take part in commencement exercises for Washington- Wilkes Comprehensive High School this Friday, May 18, beginning at 8 p.m. at Tiger Stadium. The number of graduates is slightly less than last year and was still subject to change as of this printing.

The Class of 2007 drew praise from Principal Andrew Jackson, who characterized the class as uniquely smart. In addition to the honor graduates of which there will be 11 (10 percent of the number that began the ninth grade), there are quite a few with high grade averages - many more than in a typical year.

"We are going to put an asterisk by the names of the students that end up with a 90 average or better," Jackson said. "We have 21 kids in the senior class that are going to end up with a 90 or above average. That's a pretty good percentage and that's unique for this class. There are a lot of smart kids in this class."

Jackson said that the number of students finishing with averages that high is generally 12-15 and he remembered, along with Assistant Principal Steve Echols, that when this class was in the eighth grade, so many of them qualified for advanced math placement that a second section had to be started to accommodate them.

"This is a very good class academically," Jackson said, adding that everything else about it is "pretty typical."

As has become a necessary custom in recent years, the 2007 valedictorian, salutatorian, honor graduates,

and most of the scholarship recipients will not be announced until

tonight's (May 17) annual senior banquet to be held in the school cafeteria. The banquet is for seniors and their parents, presenters, and some faculty members. A full report of those receiving honors will be included in next week's edition of The News-Reporter.

The program for graduation exercises will follow the same format banquet to be held in the school cafeteria. The banquet is for seniors and their parents, presenters, and some faculty members. A full report of those receiving honors will be included in next week's edition of The News-Reporter.

The program for graduation exercises will follow the same format it has for a number of years beginning with the processional led by the top junior class scholars John Lovvorn and Kimberly Jenkins. Senior Class President Diundra Doughty will welcome guests and Lindley Hall, class secretary, will introduce special guests.

Following the reading of a poem by class treasurer Jessica Watson and the salutatory and valedictory addresses, Jackson will present diplomas to each of the marching seniors. Superintendent of Schools Joyce Williams will certify the Class of 2007, and Class Vice President James Cade will deliver an address just before the graduates are presented.

Other junior class ushers will be Troy Colvard, Kaitlin Haughey, Ashley Kearney, and Caleb Saggus.

As for a contingency plan, Jackson said, "We are so sure it's not going to rain, we haven't even been through the process." School Counselor Don Bridges concurred and admitted that there really is no backup plan. However, if inclement weather does force the event inside, each senior will be allowed three ticketed guests and the ceremonies will be held in the Washington- Wilkes Elementary School gymnasium.

" I look at the weather every morning and it's supposed to be good on Friday," Jackson reported. "So hopefully we'll have a nice evening at Tiger Stadium."

The News-Reporter's annual feature of all the graduates' photos will be published next week.

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